Uploaded to YouTube on Aug 15, 2008
Clip
from the 1st 1960 presidential debate between Senator John F. Kennedy
(D-MA) and Vice President Richard Nixon (R-CA). Held on September 26,
1960, it was the first presidential debate between candidates from
opposing political parties as well as the first one to be televised. It
is best known not by its subject matter, but by the preparedness and
physical appearance of both candidates. Television audiences thought
Kennedy won the debate by a landslide, while radio audiences thought
Nixon won it by a landslide. Nixon appeared emaciated, unhealthy, and
awkward, while Kennedy appeared handsome, tanned and confident. Nixon
was recovering from an injured knee that resulted in a recent hospital
stay. He had just arrived at the studio after a strenuous campaign in
which he made appearances in all 50 states, including newly admitted
Alaska and Hawaii. He refused to have makeup applied to his face, and
had not shaved, making his stubble clearly visible to television
viewers. Kennedy on the other hand, took time to rest before the debates
and his suit contrasted well against the background. In effect, Nixon's
gray suit seemed to blend in with the background, especially on the
era's black and white television screens.
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